Thermo-elegtrjc battery



No. 434,427. Patented Aug. 19., 1890.

Jude 21/6 jz/rzyfi- ML 0 UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY BARRINGER COX, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE ELECTRIC GENERATOR COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

,THsmuo-sneefmc BATTERY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,427, dated August 19, 1890.

Application filed larch 6, 1889. Renewed December 23, 1889. SerialNo. 334,743. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

' Be itknown that I, HARRY BARRINGER X,

of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Thermo-Electric Batteries; and I do hereby dethereon, which form .part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in thermo-electric generators.

It is a well-known law that if two unlike I metals are joinedtogether and either heat or cold be applied at or near the junctions an electro-motive force is set up or generated. By practical experiment I have found. that the best results are obtained when the length of metal in circuit is as short as possible, and

the fall in the thermic potential is as great as possible. In'the ordinary thermo-pile this result cannot be practically attained.

With these facts in view, the object of my invention is to produce in athermo-electric circuit aspronounceda fall in heat potential as possible, and to produce as large a movement of heat within the circuit as possible.

The object of all previous thermo-couplcs has been to maintainadiiferenee ot' temperature at the junctions. .The object of my invention is to maintain, or rather produce, a fallin the thermic potential within the circuit.

These objects'are accomplished by, and my invention consists in,-eertain novel features of construction, and in combinations of parts more fully described hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved thermo-pile. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a strip before being united with the larger element.

Each thermo-couple consists of two elements a b, composed of unlike metals joined. 'togetheriu a suitable manner.

In forminga pile, any number of these couples are employed. The strips a extend from one end of one large element 1) to the opposite end of the next adjoining element 17, and heat is applied from any suitable source, as c, to the junctions at corresponding ends of the elements. The opposite corresponding junctions are to be kept at as low temperature as "possible. A conducting or radiating strip 01, of good conductingmetal, is connected with and extends from said elements I), between the portions of the same exposed to heat and cold, toward the source of cold.

In connecting and constructing the parts 3 the ends of the metal strips a and d are slit, perforated, or bent, as shown in Fig. 2, in such manner that. the metal composing the element 1) can be cast aroundand make a firm connection therewith. The metal composing the element b is also cast around and thus joined to the conducting or radiating strip or strips (1. Thepositions of the strips (1 may be varied to suit the pile.

The object of the strips d is to produce as great a fall in thermic potential between the junctions as possible.

It should be observed that the conductors or radiators d are connected between the junctions and extend outtinto the atmosphere. This prevents them from not only attaining the same temperature as the elemental), but

in fact reduces the temperature of said element, and tends to very materially lower'the temperature between the junctions, and thus produces the object sought for'z'-. e., a pronounced fall in thermic potential.

The opposite poles of the pile are indicated by the rcferenceletters e and f.

It is evident that various changes'might be made in the form, arrangement, and connection of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence I do not wish to limit myself to the construction shown.

lVhat I claim is- I 1. In thermocouples, a conductor or radiator placed within the circuit of the same to produce a fall in thermic potential, substantially as described. i

2." A thermo-couple provided with a conduetor or radiator connected between the hot and cold junctions of the couple and extending outwardlyintothe atmosphere. v

3. A thermo ile provided with a radiator or conductor connected between the hot and 5 cold junctions of the pile to produce a maxi- [0 similar elementseast together at their adjoining-"ends, and a conductor cast or connected with one of the elements within its length, for the purpose set-forth.

5. A thermoelectric generator composed of alternate elements of unlike metals joined together at their opposite ends, every alternate element having a conductor couneetedto the element between its junetionswith the adjoining elements and extending in the direction of the junction to be kept cool, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aflix my signature in presence oftwo witnesses.

HARRY BARRINGER COX. Witnesses:

D. 0.,Oox, J. BETTS'SMITH. 

